Friday, February 21, 2020


Crown Point Junior Music Academy
Monday Morning Memo
2/24-2/28

As I move through Shared Reading lessons with a focus on Teacher Clarity, collaborative practice, and shifting the work to the students, I see our students moving closer to the ideal state of Teacher Clarity.  Your explicit planning and teacher moves allow for critical thinking and high-level collaborative practice.  As you shift more of the work to the students, high-level discussions and writing will be more routine for your students. 

The images of the shared reading lesson below show the clear learning intentions and students referring to the learning intentions and success criteria that were posted.  What I observed was the clear intentional teacher statements and directives to the students.  These students were clear in their discussions with each other and knew exactly what to do when processing the success criteria and performing the task.  Thank you for working diligently when planning for these lessons and shifting the work to the students!!!!








Strategic Focus of School:

Safe, Inclusive, Collaborative Culture
Teacher Clarity
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum

IDEAL STATE OF TEACHER CLARITY

1.   Students will be able to communicate (verbally, written,
demonstrate…) to you/others the learning intention

2.    Students will be able to communicate to you/others what it takes to be successful in their work

3.    Students will be able to connect the work to the learning intentions and success criteria.

4.    Students will be able to self-reflect and self-assess how they performed in the task and what they learned and communicate to you and others.


Scheduled Observations:

You should have signed up for the lesson observations at this point.  The scheduled observations will be based on our strategic focus areas below. Currently, I have the scheduled dates of Monday, 2/24/20, Thursday, 2/27/20, and Friday, 2/28/20.

For the observations, I am asking for you to plan with your grade level partner to create a common lesson plan for both of you in Shared Reading. 

Please focus on the shifting of the work onto the students by having strategic partnerships collaborate on the task.

Please continue to share how they connect the work to the Learning Intention and Success Criteria in their collaborative conversations or their writing. 

I will be asking for you to share the lesson plans with me via Google Docs by the end of your two PLC days coming up (Tuesday, 2/18 and Wednesday, 2/19).




Data Meetings

I will be scheduling data meetings with each one of you between now and the end of February.  For this please be cognizant of collecting samples of your student work.  You will have an opportunity to share your lessons, the learning intentions and success criteria, and the student work that aligns with the learning intention and success criteria.  More information and dates to come!


During the observations, I will be coming in the lens of the ideal state of teacher clarity which we have been working on all year.  My focus will not be on what the teacher does, but what the students are doing and their overall engagement based on the definition of the ideal state of teacher clarity below.


******Please note the change********Instructional Visit -  New Interim Area Superintendent, Christina Casillas Thursday, 3/19/20 from 8:00-10:00
As some of you already know, Kimie Lochtefeld has taken on a new career path in the Poway Unified School District.  That being said,  our interim area superintendent, Christina Casillas, will be visiting our school on March 19th.

I look forward to showing her the high-quality instruction aligned with Teacher Clarity.  She will also come in with the lens of expectations, support, and intervention for Students with Disabilities and English Learners.


Important Upcoming Dates:

Week of 2/24-2/28

M 2/24- Day 1 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
T 2/25-
W 2/26- Teacher Prep
Th 2/27- Day 2 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
F 2/28- Day 3 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming), AEP 3rd-5th

Wednesday, February 12, 2020


Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

Week of 2/18-2/21

As I make connections to the work of our Teacher Clarity focus and ensuring that we have a safe school culture, I appreciate the staff being extremely clear not only academically, but culturally. I have noticed high-quality habits of mind being shared about what it takes to be an overall student working hard and making our culture safe.  This image below is similar to our PBIS message of being Safe, Responsible, and Respectful.  The success criteria absolutely adds to the positive culture of the school, gets students ready to participate at high levels, and connects success criteria to a thriving learning environment.





Strategic Focus of School:

Safe, Inclusive, Collaborative Culture
Teacher Clarity
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum

IDEAL STATE OF TEACHER CLARITY

1.   Students will be able to communicate (verbally, written,
demonstrate…) to you/others the learning intention

2.    Students will be able to communicate to you/others what it takes to be successful in their work

3.    Students will be able to connect the work to the learning intentions and success criteria.

4.    Students will be able to self-reflect and self-assess how they performed in the task and what they learned and communicate to you and others.


Scheduled Observations:

The scheduled observations will be based on our strategic focus areas below. Currently, I have the scheduled dates of Monday, 2/24/20, Thursday, 2/27/20, and Friday, 2/28/20. 

  • For the observations, I am asking for you to plan with your grade level partner to create a common lesson plan for both of you in Shared Reading.  

  • Please focus on the shifting of the work onto the students by having strategic partnerships collaborate on the task. 

  • Please continue to share how they connect the work to the Learning Intention and Success Criteria in their collaborative conversations or their writing.  

  • I will be asking for you to share the lesson plans with me via Google Docs by the end of your two PLC days coming up (Tuesday, 2/18 and Wednesday, 2/19).

  • Please see Cathy to sign up for a time on the following days
    • Monday,2/24
    • Thursday, 2/27
    • Friday, 2/28




Data Meetings

I will be scheduling data meetings with each one of you between now and the end of February.  For this please be cognizant of collecting samples of your student work.  You will have an opportunity to share your lessons, the learning intentions and success criteria, and the student work that aligns with the learning intention and success criteria.  More information and dates to come!


During the observations, I will be coming in the lens of the ideal state of teacher clarity which we have been working on all year.  My focus will not be on what the teacher does, but what the students are doing and their overall engagement based on the definition of the ideal state of teacher clarity below.





******Please note the change********Instructional Visit -  New Interim Area Superintendent, Christina Casillas Thursday, 3/19/20 from 8:00-10:00
As some of you already know, Kimie Lochtefeld has taken on a new career path in the Poway Unified School District.  That being said,  our interim area superintendent, Christina Casillas, will be visiting our school on March 2nd. 

I look forward to showing her the high-quality instruction aligned with Teacher Clarity.  She will also come in with the lens of expectations, support, and intervention for Students with Disabilities and English Learners.


Important Upcoming Dates:

Week of 2/17-2/21

M 2/17-Presidents’ Weekend No School
T 2/18-Minimum Day PLC in room 11 @ 1:00,
W 2/19- PLC in grade-level lead’s classrooms, Blue Stem Meeting (Champion) @ 2:00 at MBHS
Th 2/20- Chillin with the Principal 1:40-2:00 in the lunch arbor
F 2/21- Attendance Dance Parties (TK-2nd 12:45-1:15) (3rd-5th 1:30-2:00), Dance in Auditorium @ 6:00


Week of 2/24-2/28

M 2/24- Day 1 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
T 2/25-
W 2/26- Teacher Prep
Th 2/27- Day 2 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
F 2/28- Day 3 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming), AEP 3rd-5th

Sunday, February 9, 2020


Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

Week of 2/10-2/14

I just wanted to continue celebrating our friend Stephen Luchs.  If you did not know already, he has received the Classics 4 Kids Partnership Award, The CMEA Lifetime Achievement Award locally and the National CMEA Lifetime Achievement Award this year as well.   We are also celebrating our Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Heather Jessee who is a tremendous teacher.  Last but not least, we will be receiving our school's California Distinguished School Award celebrating all of your hard work.  We have a lot to celebrate I want you to know that I am very proud to be working at a school with staff determined and dedicated to making sure that our students are getting exactly what they need in their elementary years.  Thank you, everyone!!








Strategic Focus of School:


Safe, Inclusive, Collaborative Culture
Teacher Clarity
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum

Scheduled Observations:

The scheduled observations will be based on our strategic focus areas below. Currently, I have the scheduled dates of Monday, 2/24/20, Thursday, 2/27/20, and Friday, 2//28/20. I will be getting a sign-up sheet out soon.

Data Meetings

I will be scheduling data meetings with each one of you between now and the end of February.  For this please be cognizant of collecting samples of your student work.  You will have an opportunity to share your lessons, the learning intentions and success criteria, and the student work that aligns with the learning intention and success criteria.  More information and dates to come!


During the observations, I will be coming in the lens of the ideal state of teacher clarity which we have been working on all year.  My focus will not be on what the teacher does, but what the students are doing and their overall engagement based on the definition of the ideal state of teacher clarity below.


IDEAL STATE OF TEACHER CLARITY

1.   Students will be able to communicate (verbally, written,
demonstrate…) to you/others the learning intention

2.    Students will be able to communicate to you/others what it takes to be successful in their work

3.    Students will be able to connect the work to the learning intentions and success criteria


4.    Students will be able to self-reflect and self-assess how they performed in the task and what they learned and communicate to you and others.


Instructional Visit -  New Interim Area Superintendent, Christina Casillas Monday, 3/2/20 from 1:00-2:15
As some of you already know, Kimie Lochtefeld has taken on a new career path in the Poway Unified School District.  That being said,  our interim area superintendent, Christina Casillas, will be visiting our school on March 2nd.  

I look forward to showing her the high-quality instruction aligned with Teacher Clarity.  She will also come in with the lens of expectations, support, and intervention for Students with Disabilities and English Learners. 


Important Upcoming Dates:

Week of 2/10-2/14 ( Presidents Weekend 4 day holiday)

M 2/10-
T 2/11-
W 2/12-Teacher Prep
Th 2/13-
F 2/14-Presidents’ Weekend No School

Week of 2/17-2/21

M 2/17-Presidents’ Weekend No School
T 2/18-Minimum Day PLC in room 11 @ 1:00,
W 2/19- PLC in grade-level lead’s classrooms, Blue Stem Meeting (Champion) @ 2:00 at MBHS
Th 2/20- Chillin with the Principal 1:40-2:00 in the lunch arbor
F 2/21- Attendance Dance Parties (TK-2nd 12:45-1:15) (3rd-5th 1:30-2:00), Dance in Auditorium @ 6:00


Week of 2/24-2/28

M 2/24- Day 1 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
T 2/25-
W 2/26- Teacher Prep
Th 2/27- Day 2 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
F 2/28- Day 3 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming), AEP 3rd-5th

Sunday, February 2, 2020


Crown Point Junior Music Academy

Monday Morning Memo

Week of 2/3-2/7

Our school and many others are working on ensuring that we have a safe, collaborative, inclusive school culture.  When we think about an inclusive culture, special education instruction is part of that focus.  You may have noticed Angela and some of our paraprofessionals (See Mike below) co-teaching in lessons.  We appreciate all of our staff working together in making sure we are doing our best to make our school a safe, collaborative, and inclusive culture.  Thank you!!




Strategic Focus of School:
Safe, Inclusive, Collaborative Culture
Teacher Clarity
Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum

Scheduled Observations:

The scheduled observations will be based on our strategic focus areas below. Currently, I have the scheduled dates of Monday, 2/24/20, Thursday, 2/27/20, and Friday, 2//28/20. I will be getting a sign-up sheet out soon.

Data Meetings

I will be scheduling data meetings with each one of you between now and the end of February.  For this please be cognizant of collecting samples of your student work.  You will have an opportunity to share your lessons, the learning intentions and success criteria, and the student work that aligns with the learning intention and success criteria.  More information and dates to come!


During the observations, I will be coming in the lens of the ideal state of teacher clarity which we have been working on all year.  My focus will not be on what the teacher does, but what the students are doing and their overall engagement based on the definition of the ideal state of teacher clarity below.


IDEAL STATE OF TEACHER CLARITY

1.   Students will be able to communicate (verbally, written,
demonstrate…) to you/others the learning intention

2.    Students will be able to communicate to you/others what it takes to be successful in their work

3.    Students will be able to connect the work to the learning intentions and success criteria


4.    Students will be able to self-reflect and self-assess how they performed in the task and what they learned and communicate to you and others.



Kindness Challenge:
We will be part of the Kindness Challenge next week and we are asking teachers to help advertise the events and have some discussions of what kindness can look like, feel like and sound like at home or at school. 

Also during the week, there will be an activity every day during recess and lunch recess.  Kari Robinson and Josh Wandro (MFLAC) Details will be communicated throughout the week.



Important Upcoming Dates:


Week of 2/3-2/7

M 2/3-
T 2/4- ELAC Meeting for input on budget, Staff Meeting @ 2:30 in room 11 (Wellness and staff input on the budget)
W 2/5- Teacher Prep, PTO Meeting
Th 2/6 GATE Testing @ 8:00, Mission Bay Cluster Meeting @ 6:00 @ MBHS, SSC in room 11 @ 2:30
F 2/7- GATE Testing @ 8:00, Dine-out @ Bayside Landing beginning at 3:00 pm

Week of 2/10-2/14

M 2/10-
T 2/11-
W 2/12-Teacher Prep
Th 2/13-
F 2/14-Presidents’ Weekend No School
 
Week of 2/17-2/21

M 2/17-Presidents’ Weekend No School
T 2/18-Minimum Day PLC in room 11 @ 1:00,
W 2/19- PLC in grade-level lead’s classrooms, Blue Stem Meeting (Champion) @ 2:00 at MBHS
Th 2/20- Chillin with the Principal 1:40-2:00 in the lunch arbor
F 2/21- Attendance Dance Parties (TK-2nd 12:45-1:15) (3rd-5th 1:30-2:00), Dance in Auditorium @ 6:00


Week of 2/24-2/28

M 2/24- Day 1 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
T 2/25-
W 2/26- Teacher Prep
Th 2/27- Day 2 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming)
F 2/28- Day 3 of Teacher Clarity Scheduled Observations (More information coming), AEP 3rd-5th

Monday Morning Memo Week of 1/11-1/15 It was good to see the kids at the end of last week when I went into classrooms.  I definitely will mi...